In December, the US and China completed a bilateral agreement that allows Chinese Nationals to come to the US expressly for leisure travel.

The newly approved status, expected to take effect by June, gives the Hawaii visitor industry more reason than ever to address China, which anticipates 100 million outbound travelers by 2020…Despite the potential for more Chinese arrivals, several challenges still face the local visitor industry. Airfares from China to Hawaii have risen by up to 80 percent, a result of the fuel surcharge. And there are no direct flights to Hawaii, due to restrictions between the U.S. and China governments. Obtaining a U.S. travel visa isn't a piece of cake, either. Applicants must travel to one of five major cities in China for a face-to-face interview at the consulate. Then they wait up to six weeks for approval, leaving a small window for travel plans.

So while there is still a long way to go before Chinese buyers affect Maui real estate in a substantial way, the process is clearly moving in the right direction.